THANKSGIVING & GIVING THANKS

Thanksgiving is the time for the  traditional turkey feast, pumpkin pie (my favorite!), family get togethers,  the Macy’s Day Parade, football games, kids coming home from college, donating to the needy, and the beginning of  holiday shopping (aka the day before Black Friday!) But most of all, it is a time to give thanks for what you already have.

I'm thankful for my family!  Sharing a holiday meal in 1996.

When we are feeling thankful, we are physically, emotionally and spiritually, in a positive state. Being thankful improves your overall health. Being thankful enhances your immune system. So, starting today, why not make the spirit of Thanksgiving and the feeling of thankfulness as a part of your every day life, all year round?

So what are you thankful for?

In the book, 101 Exercises for the Soul, Dr. Bernie Siegel suggests writing a Gratitude List to change your thoughts and health into a more positive direction:

 “Gratitude is one of the best ways to improve your attitude and feel better. You can’t be troubled and grateful at the same time…Start by making a list of at least twenty things you are grateful for in your life. You might start with the basic necessities, like having a roof over your head, a chair to sit on, food to eat, a warm bed at night, and so on. Then continue with the more meaningful and personal areas of your life, such as your friends, family, work, pets and health. When you finish, display the list where you will see it often, especially when troubling thoughts start surfacing. Keep adding to you list over the next several weeks, and take the time to read it every day to remind yourself all the things in your life that you are grateful for.”

Drawing a Gratitude Mandala is another way of expressing thanks. This is a personal Gratitude Mandala by Donna Gentile –  artist, singer/songwriter and founder of the Community Mandala Project. I love this mandala and what it represents. I completely resonate with Donna’s uplifting and powerful words.

My personal  mandala would  be very similar to Donna’s, but  I would also like to add one more very important thing that I am grateful for.

I am grateful for having chronic Lyme disease ( Multi-Systemic Infectious Disease Syndrome) and being chronically sick for almost 13 years. I am grateful for this life experience!  Sounds crazy, doesn’t it? I mean who in their right mind would be thankful for being sick?

Now that I am healed, I can see that this was a life lesson. My sickness was a lesson! A lesson in compassion, spiritual growth,  facing and dissolving fears, listening to my intuition, loving myself more, forgiving myself and others, spreading hope and awareness, and most of all, a lesson in being grateful every day!

I am grateful for my life! I am grateful that I chose the holistic path!  I am grateful that I am aware of my thoughts!  I am grateful for - just about everything!  And I thank God every day for my new found awareness. I have learned to make thankfulness a permanent trait.  And the best part is – if I can do this – anyone can!

So what are you thankful for? Have you ever stopped to think about it?

If you haven’t, start now! Keep the glorious spirit of Thanksgiving alive all year long! Let gratitude become a part of your life each and every day. Thank every one and every thing as much as you can. The more you give thanks, the more you will feel blessed. The more you feel blessed, the happier you will be.  And a life filled with happiness is what it's all about. Isn't this what you are striving for?

Well, isn’t it?

Or did you forget?

Well... I’m here to remind you.

You’re welcome….J

                                                         BE THANKFUL    

                                   
                   Be thankful that you don’t already have everything you desire,

If you did, what would there be to look forward too?

Be thankful when you don’t know something

For it gives you the opportunity to learn.

Be thankful for the difficult times

During those times you grow.

Be thankful for your limitations

Because they give you opportunities for improvement.

Be thankful for each new challenge

Because it will give you strength and character.

Be thankful for your mistakes

They will teach you valuable lessons.

Be thankful when you are tired and weary

Because it means you’ve made a difference.

It is easy to be thankful for the good things.

A life of rich fulfillment comes to those who are also thankful for the setbacks.

GRATITUDE can turn a negative into a positive.

Find a way to be thankful for your troubles and they can become your blessings.

~Author Unknown~